New CoP transfers two AKS officers back in uniform

Two officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad were transferred to the Port-of-Spain Division in uniform on Friday, following instructions from new Police Commissioner Everald Snaggs.

The two officers were given 14 days notice of their transfers on Friday. On Saturday August 20 last year, the two officers acting on a tip off, went to Mayaro where they seized 15 kilos of cocaine in the eastern coastline. They took the drugs to the Port-of-Spain CID and lodged it there for safekeeping. The following Monday, the packages of drugs were handed over to officers of the Narcotics Bureau.

Later that day, the two officers were moved out of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad. One officer was sent to Besson Street CID and the other to the St Clair CID. A few days later, Snr Supt Gilbert Reyes, the Head of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad took a decision to have the two officers returned to the AKS.

Supt Errol Denoon of the Port-of-Spain CID was later given instructions to carry out an investigation into the matter. He submitted his report to ACP Crime James Philbert and a recommendation was made by Philbert to the then Ag Commissioner Snaggs. The file was reviewed by the Commissioner on Thursday and a decision was taken. Sunday Newsday learned that the decision by Snr Supt Reyes to have the officers returned to the AKS was questioned by investigators.